Bird fancier's lung

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Bird fancier's lung
Synonyms	Pigeon breeder's lung, Bird breeder's lung
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	Pulmonology
Symptoms	Cough, dyspnea, fever, chills, fatigue
Complications	Pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure
Onset	Hours to years after exposure
Duration	Variable, depending on exposure
Types	N/A
Causes	Inhalation of avian antigens
Risks	Exposure to birds, bird droppings, feathers
Diagnosis	Clinical history, chest X-ray, CT scan, pulmonary function test, bronchoalveolar lavage
Differential diagnosis	Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Prevention	Avoidance of exposure to birds and bird products
Treatment	Corticosteroids, avoidance of exposure
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, can be chronic if exposure continues
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Bird fancier's lung (BFL), also known as Pigeon breeder's lung and Bird breeder's lung, is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). It is an inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by the inhalation of dust from bird feathers and droppings. This condition is most commonly seen in individuals who keep, breed, or are otherwise in close contact with birds.

Causes

Bird fancier's lung is caused by exposure to avian proteins found in the feathers and droppings of many species of birds. The most common birds associated with BFL are pigeons, budgerigars, and canaries, but other birds can also cause the disease. The proteins can become airborne and are inhaled by the bird keeper, leading to an immune response in the lungs.

Symptoms

The symptoms of bird fancier's lung can vary from person to person, but typically include shortness of breath, cough, and fever. These symptoms can occur hours or weeks after exposure to bird dust. In some cases, individuals may also experience weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats. Chronic BFL can lead to pulmonary fibrosis, a serious condition that can cause permanent lung damage.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of bird fancier's lung is based on the patient's history of exposure to birds, the presence of symptoms, and the results of tests such as chest X-rays and lung function tests. A lung biopsy may also be performed in some cases to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

The primary treatment for bird fancier's lung is avoidance of further exposure to birds. In some cases, corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation in the lungs. In severe cases, oxygen therapy or lung transplantation may be necessary.

Prevention

Prevention of bird fancier's lung involves reducing exposure to bird dust. This can be achieved by using proper ventilation, wearing a mask when handling birds or cleaning their cages, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting bird cages and feeding equipment.

See also

• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Occupational lung disease

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